Search Site

Search FormForm Text

This search form uses an instant search feature. As you type, search results will appear automatically below the search field. When you've entered you desired search terms use tab to navigate through the available results and hit enter to open the selected page or document.

The global health crisis has disrupted almost every aspect of our
lives, but it has also affected our children. With schools closed,
sports and clubs paused, and social events cancelled, our kids are also
struggling to cope with the changes.

But COVID-19 has also given us a unique opportunity to spend extra
time with our families at home. We normally don’t have this much time in
our regularly busy lives to dedicate to trying new activities with our
kids. With some creativity, we can turn this time of disappointment and
uncertainty into one full of love, joy, and learning!

If your family is feeling the stress and boredom of being stuck at home, try these seven activities to bond and have some fun.

Build a fort: Gather up all your spare sheets and
blankets, pull out the camping gear, assemble your dining room chairs,
and get creative with kids young and old! Make a blanket fort in your
living room that’s big enough to fit the entire family (and don’t forget
your pets!). Pop some popcorn and fill bowls with snacks to have an
extra-fun family movie night.

Learn something new together: With schools closed,
most children are getting a combination of homeschooling and virtual
learning. But by being at home, kids have the opportunity to learn other
kinds of things aside from English, math, and science. Talk to your
child about their interests and see if there’s something you can teach
them—or, better yet, something you can learn together! Download Duolingo
to challenge each other while learning a new language, follow an online
cooking class, or pick up a new crafting hobby together to expand both of your horizons.

Have a dance party: With limited access to parks
and playgrounds, energetic kids might feel a little stir crazy. When
they start bouncing off the walls, you might struggle to stay calm. To
help everybody shed some stress and let out all that pent-up energy, ask
for your kids’ help in putting together a playlist of their favorite
music. Then, clear out your living room and hold a dance party to
release those jitters!

Take virtual tours: Many families aren’t able to travel the world, regardless of a pandemic. However, many famous museums, national parks,
and landmarks are available to “tour” on your computer screen! Connect
your computer to the TV or gather around the monitor, and use Google
Earth or specially designed virtual touring websites to experience
everything from the Louvre to the Great Wall of China. This also makes
for a great educational opportunity, since your kids can learn about
history, art, nature, and culture!

Host family game night: Board games and card games
are the perfect solutions to otherwise quiet nights indoors. Have your
children pick out their favorite games, then play a round of each with
the entire family. This is a great way to have some fun while
stimulating your brains. If you want to bring even more family and
friends into the fun, there are tons of virtual board games perfect for playing while still social distancing! Fire up a virtual call and play together from your respective homes.

Give their rooms a facelift: If you’ve been on a
cleaning kick at home, get your kids involved by having them reorganize
their bedrooms and playrooms. Make it fun by offering to redecorate
their space with a new coat of paint or some simple décor once they’ve
cleaned it out. Assemble a donation pile of old clothes and toys, then
see how you can spruce up their space. Adding just a few new storage
bins, a cute rug, and a lamp can transform their room and make them feel
like they’ve accomplished something great!

Start a backyard garden: With spring weather
finally here, now is the perfect time to head to your backyard. Order
some new pots, soil, and seeds from your local hardware store, and have
your kids help you build a backyard garden. Let them choose a few things
they want to grow—whether it’s flowers, herbs, or vegetables. Gardening
will get you all outside for some sun and fresh air, and it will help
your children learn a new skill.

The pressure to teach your children and keep them busy at all hours
of the day can be immense. However, think of this time as an opportunity
to help them learn new things, expand their horizons, and get a little
extra one-on-one time with you. You can still get things done around the
house and be productive with your children in tow!

Bonus idea! Inevitably, you and your kids will want some alone time to rest and recharge. Download a free coloring book
for your kids to enjoy during their downtime! Not only does it give
them a creative outlet, but it encourages kids to stay safe and healthy.

While everyone should have some quiet time alone for their hobbies,
engaging your kids with activities the whole family can do together is
sure to create some fond memories for all of you and relieve the stress
of quarantine.